Sliding support for organ manuals



May 22, 1928.

J. H. HAMMOND. JR

SLIDING SUPPORT FOR ORGAN MANUALS Filed May 29, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J H HAMMOND JR SLIDING SUPPORT FOR ORGAN MANUALS Filed May 29, 1926 May 22, 1928.

Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SLIDING SUPPORT FOR ORGAN MANUAL$.

Application filed Kay 29, 1926. Serial No. 112,436.

This invention relates to musical instruments andmOre particularly to instruments of the type producing sustained tones.

The principal object of the present invention relates to improved means for controlling the intensity of sustained musical sound produced by a musical instrument in accordance with the pressure applied to the operating devices of the instrument.

A feature of the invention relates to improved means for mounting a keyboard manual to permit individual depression of the keys independently of one another, and to provide for an additional movement of the entire keyboard when it is desired to produce special effects.

Another feature relates to the provision of a plurality of swell motor-s for varying the intensity of sound produced in combina tion with means controlled by the pressure applied to the keys for causing the aotuation of the swell motors selectively.

Other objects will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows an organ console having the features of the invention;

Figure 2 shows diagrammatically an organ chest and shutter mechanism and swell motors forvarying the sound emitted therefrom;

Figure 3 shows details of the swell motor of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of one of the electromagnetic control valves of Figure 3.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the following description and claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience of expression, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts or equivalent construction as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawings and more par ticularly to Figure 1, there is shown an or gan console comprising a housing 10 having a lower transverse shelf 11. an intermediate shelf 12 and an upper shelf 13. Mounted between the intermediate shelf 12 and the upper shelf 13 is a movable key support 14 having a fulcrum block 15 extending across the width of the support. At spaced intervals on the fulcrum block 15 is a plurality of upstanding pins such as 16 upon each of which there is mounted a key such as a key 17 arranged to oscillate about the fulcrum 15. c The keys 17 form collectively an organ manual 18. Each of the keys 17 of the upper manual is provided with a strip of conducting material 18 electrically connected to the corresponding pin 16 and is arranged upon depression of the forward end of the key 17 to raise the rear end, and thus to engage a contact spring 19. Each contact spring is included in circuit with one conductor of a cable 20 extending to organ chests 21.

The organ chest 21 includes means for producing sustained musical sounds such as a plurality of organ pipes 22, 23, controlled respectively by the keys 17 of the upper manual 18. A source of compressed air such as a pipe 24 extends from a suitable pump (not shown) to the organ chests 21. The organ chests 21 and associated organ pipes such as 22, 23, are positioned within an organ chamber formed of a casing 25. At least one wall of the casing 25 is provided with a plurality of shutters such as 26, each pivotally mounted on its longitudinal axis so as variably to control the sound emitted from the interior of the casing. Each shutter is provided with an arm 27 afliXed thereto, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to an operating bar 28. which is pivotally secured to a shaft 29 of a swell shutter motor 30. A retractile spring 31 se cured at one end to the bar 28 and at its other end to a fixed projection 32 on the casing 25 serves to maintain the shutters 26 normally in closed position.

There is mounted between the intermediate shelf 12 and the lower shelf 11 a second movable key support 114 similar to the first named key support 14:. The key support 114 includes a fulcrum block 115 having a plurality of pins 116 and a corresponding plurality of keys 117 mounted thereon and forming a lower key manual 118. Each There is mounted upon the organ chests V 121 a plurality of organ pipes such as 122,

123, each tuned to a note of the musical scale for producing sustained musical tones and is connected to the compressed air source through a branch pipe 124 leading from the main pipe 24. The organ chests 121 and associated organ pipes are positioned within a second organ chamber having at least one wall provided with shutters such as 126 for variably controlling the sound emitted therefrom. The shutters 126 are each provided with an arm 127 affixed thereto, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to an operating bar 128 which in turn is pivotally connected to ,a shaft 129 of a swell shutter motor 130. The retractile spring 131 serves to maintain the shutters 126 normally in closedposition.

The key support 14 for the upper manual 15 is slidably mounted for linear movement upon fixed spaced supports of which two are shown such as 40, 41, for one end of the manual, it being understood that a similar construction prevails at the other end of the manual. There is secured to the manual proximate to each of these supports a friction reducing element which may take the form of a roller 42 loosely mounted upon a, pin 43 fastened to the key support 14.

6 Each roller 42 rides on an inclined surface of the respective support'41, the arrangement shown being such that when a downward pressure is applied to the manual 18 the key support 14 moves downwardly and inwardly with respect to the console 10. A retractile spring 44 having oneend secured to a fixed lug 45 on the upper shelf 13 and the other end attached to a .pin 46 secured to the key support 14 serves normally to maintain the manual 18 in its upper position as shown in Figure 1. V

The pin 46 extends through a slot ina lever 50', which is pivoted'as at 51 to the intermediate shelf 12, thus forming a pin andslot lost motion connection between the manual support 14 and the lever 50. The otherend of the lever 50 is pivotally connected through a link 52 to a reciprocating bar 53 which is slidably mounted in bearings in the lower shelf 11 and a bracket 54 secured to. the console 10. The bar 53 is formed of insulating material and there is mounted upon one face thereof a contacting segment 55-formed of electrically conducting 'material. Aplurality of contact springs such as 56, 57, 58 is mounted upon the console 10 'so as to engage the bar 53,

the arrangement being such that in its normal or upper position the contact segment 55 engages only the upper contact spring 56, but as the bar 53 is moved downwardly the segment 55 engages successively the additional contact springs such as 57, 58'.

. The contact spring 56 is connected by a conductor 60 to a common return conductor 61 extending to one pole of a source of energy such as a battery 62 (see Figure 2). The remainingcontact springs 57, 58 are connected respectively to conductors 63, 64, v

upon fixed spaced supports of which two are shown in Figure 1 as at 140, 141, serving in each case as a support for a roller 142 mounted upon a pin 143 fastened to the key support 114. The support is provided with an inclined surface upon which the roller 142 rides. The retractile spring 144 having oneend secured to a fixed lug 145 on themtermediate shelf 12 and the other secured to a pin 146 mounted upon the key support 114,

serves normally to maintain the lower nianual 11 8 1n1ts upper position as shown in Figure 1.

i The pin'146 engages a slot in a pivoted lever 150 which is rotatably mounted on the lower shelf 11, and the other end of the lever 150 is pivotally connected through a link 152 to a reciprocating bar 153 slidably mounted in bearings in a pair of spaced brackets 154, 154 secured to the console 10. The bar 153 is formedof insulating material and includes a contacting segment formed of electrically conducting material. A plurality of contact springs such as 156, 157, 108 is mounted upon the console 10 so as to engage the bar 153 in such manner that when the bar 153 is in its normal upper most position only the contact spring 156 engages the segment155v and upon downward movement of the bar, additionalcontact springs are successively brought into electrical contact with the segment 155.

The contact spring 156 is connected'by branch conductor 160 to the common return conductor 61 extending to the battery 62 (see Figure '2). 'The remaining contact springs 157, 158 are connected respectively to conductors 163, 164, 165, 166 extending to terminals of the swell shutter motor 130. The swell shutter motor 130 is also connected to apole of .thebattery 62 by means of branch conductor 167. The swell shutter motors 30, 130 are similar in construction and a description of one will suffice for both.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown the conductors"63,64, 65, 66 and 67 which will be understood are'the terminations of the conductors so numbered in the case of the swell. shutter motor 30 and of conductors numbered 163, 164, 165, 166 and 167 respectively in the case of the swell shutter motor 130. These conductors extend to a block 70 of electromagnetic primary pneumatics, one

of which is shown enlarged in Figure 4. Each primary pneumatic includes an electromagnet 71 controlling a movable armature 72 normally resting upon and closing a port 73 leading to a chamber 74. Over each chamber 74 is a pouch 7 5 which separates it from a second chamber 76. The chambers 75 and 76 are connected by a small bleed hole 77. Resting upon the pouch 75 is a valve 78 the stem of which extends through open guides 79, and the chamber 7 6 is con-. nected by means of a conducting pipe 80 to the outside atmosphere. The valve member 78 operates within a valve chamber 81 which communicates by means of a flexible pipe 82 to a. respective bellows compartment such as 83 vofan accordionbellows 84, there being one bellows compartment for each of the primary neumatics. In the normal position shown, the pipe 82 is connected through the valve chamber 81 and to a port 85. The primary pneumatic block 70 is mounted upon the interior face of one wall of an air tight casing 86 the interior of which is connected as by a pipe 87 to the source of pressure 24. Thus in the normal position the interior of the casing 86, the port 85, the tube 82 and the interior of the bellows chambers 83 are connected to the source of pressure and the bellows chambers 83 are distended. The u er bellows chamber has one element 88 secured to the wall of the casing 86, and its free element is connected to one of the elements of the contiguous bellows chamber thus forming an accordion bellows. The fnee end of the lower bellows chamber 83 is connected to the operating shaft 29, 129. Surrounding this shaft is a soft leather cone 89 which 'prevents the escape of the air from the swell motor 30.

It is understood that the organ action is of conventional construction, the organ pipes 22, 23, 122, 123 being actuated by electro-magnetic pneumatics, the circuit of which includes a common return conductor 90, a source of energy'such as a battery 91, and a, common conductor 92 extending by means of a branch conductor 93 to the fulcrum block 15, pins 16 and conducting strip 18 of the keys 17 of the upper manual 18, and by means of a branch conductor 193 to the fulcrum block 115, pins 116, and conducting strip 118' of the keys 117 of the lower manual 118. p

In operation, the musician manipulates the keys of the manuals 18, 118 in accordance with the musical composition which is to be played. As the forward end of each key is depressed a circuit is closed for the respective note action, and the corresponding organ pipe is sounded to produce a. musical tone of the pitch corresponding to the key depressed. A light pressure on the key manual will be entirely suflicient to actuate the keys. If it be desired, to play the theme or solo part upon the manual 18 and the accompaniment upon the manual 118, the musician applies a greater pressure to the keys 17 of the manual 18 than is applied to the keys 117- of the manual 118. Suppose, for example, that sufficient pressure is applied to the manual 18 to cause the key support 14 thereof to slide downwardly and inwardly to the fullest extent; then the lever 50 is fully operated and the oscillating bar 53 is moved downwardly to bring the conducting segment 55 into electrical contact with all of the contact springs 56, 57, 58, and thus close the circuits of all of the magnets 7101" the primary block 70, thereby lifting all the armatures 72. Air under pressure is thus admitted from the source 24, pipe 87, interior of the casing 86, port 78, to chamber 74, thus raising the valve 78 of each of the primaries. The valve element 7 8 is thus caused to open the valve port leading to the atmospheric vent and to close the valve port leading to theinterior of the casing 86, and thus the flexible pipe 82 and the respective bellows chamber 83 connected thereto is placed in communication with the outside atmosphere through the vent 80. The pressure within the casing 86 thus causes the bellows chambers 83 to collapse, and since in the present instance all of the bellows chambers 83 are thus collapsed the shaft 29 is moved to its uppermost position and the shutters 26 are thereby fully opened. The volume of sound emitted from the'respectivc organ 21 is thus of maximum intensity.

The pressure applied to the keys 117 of the manual118 is only sufiicient partially to actuate the lever 150 against the tension of the spring 144, and the bar 153 is thus moved downwardly only sinficiently to make electrical contact between the springs 156 and 157. A circuit is thus closed from the battery 62, conductor 61, branch conductor 160, contact spring 156, segment 155, contact spring 157. conductor 163, lower clectromagnet 71 of the swell shutter motor 130, common conductor 167, to the opposite pole of the battery 62, thus energizing the lowermost electromagnet 71 of the motor 130. The respective magnetarmature 72 is thus raised, thereby admitting fluid under pressure from the source 24, branch pipe 87,

interior of the casing 86 of the. swell shutter motor 130, port 73. chamber 74. thus raising the pouch 75 and the valve 78. The actuation of the valve member 78 disconnects the respective flexible pipe 82 from the source of pressure by closing the port 85, and opens the connection from outside atmosphere through the pipe 80, thus placing the flexible pipe 82 and the respective bellows chamber 83 connected theretoto atmospheric pressure. A single bellows chamber 83 is thus collapsed and the shaft 129 is raised to a limited extent. The shutters 126 are thereby opened slightly, and the sounds producedby the respective organs 121 are thus of relatively low intensity. The musician may vary the intensities of sound as he may desire,.by decreasing the pressure applied to the manual 18 or increasing the pressure applied to the manual 118. Upon decreasing the pressure applied to the manualj 18, for example, the key support 14 is returned under the control of the retractile.

spring 44 and the contact segment .55 is disconnected from. a desired number of the contact springs such as 58. The respective.

magnet 71 of the swell shutter motor 80 is thus deenergized and the armature 72 drops over'the port 73. The pressure in, the chamber 74 is then released through the bleed hole 77. The valve 78 thus returns to normal and the respective bellows chamher 83 is again distended thus moving the shaft 29 downwardly and closing the shutters 26 to a proportional extent.

Thus a will be seen that desired variations in intensity of sound may be effected by a natural movement of the hands of the musician who is thereby enabledto impart such tion with an organ swell, of a manual. a' movable support for said manual, and

means controlled by said support for variably operating the swell of said organ.

2. In a musical instrument, the combination with an organ, of means'for actuating the organ, a movable support for said means. and means controlled by said support for variably controlling the intensity of sound produced by the organ. j

3. In a musical instrument, the combination with a source of sound. of a manual, a movable support for said manual, and means controlled by said support for variably controlling the volume of sound emitted from said source. 1

4.. "In a. musical instrument, the combination with an organ swell, of a slidably mounted manual, and means controlled by sliding movement of said manual for variably operating the swell of said orga'n.'

5. In a musical instrument, the combination with means for producing sustained musical sounds, a casing surrounding said means, said casing having a plurality of shutters in at least one wall thereof, and a 6. In a musical instrument, the combination with means for producing sustained musical sounds, a casing surrounding said means, said casing having a plurality of shutters in at least one wall thereof and a motor for actuating said shutters, of a manual having rotatable keys for controlling said sound producing means selectively when said keys are oscillated, spaced supports for said manual, friction reducing elements secured to the manual and mounted upon said supports, a reciprocating bar, a link operatively interconnecting said manual and said bar, a conducting segment mounted on the bar, and a plurality of contact springs included in the circuit of said shutter motor and in contact with said bar-to engage said conducting segment.

7. In a musical instrument, the combina-' tion with an organ pipe, a casing'surrounding said pipe, said casing having means for controlling the volume of sound emitted therefrom, anTd a motor for actuating said means, of a key for controlling said pipe when the key is oscillated, and means controlled by linear movement of thekey to activate said motor.

8. In a musical instrument, the combina: tion with an organ chamber, a source of sound therein, and a swell motor for variably controlling sound emitted therefrom,

of a slidable manual having rotatable keys for controlling said sound source selectively when said keys are oscillated, a movable support for said manual, and an electric contact making device operated by said support for controlling said motor.

9. An organ comprising playing keys, sound producing means operated thereby, and means controlled by movement of said keys in space to modify the action of said sound producing means collectively.

' 10. In an organ the combination of a plurality of keys each mounted so as to be depressed independently of the others, a cor-- responding plurality of sources of sound.

each arranged to be operated upon the movevment of a corresponding one of said keys a predetermined distance, and means to modify the action of said sound sources collee tively upon further movement of all of said keys respectively, and means controlled by keys. sliding movement of said manual to modify 11. In a musical instrument the combinathe action of said swell. 10 tion with a swell of a slidably mounted Signed at Gloucester in the county of 5 manual having a plurality of independently Essex and State of Massachusetts this 18th movable keys, a corresponding plurality of day of May A. D. 1926. sound producing elements controlled by said JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR. 

